Qilian Bluetail
Tarsiger albocoeruleus
祁连山蓝尾鸲
Introduction
Small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Found in north-central China. Formerly considered conspecific with the red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus) until recognized as a full species in 2018 and confirmed by molecular phylogenetic study in 2022. Distinctive in genetics and vocalization, though only marginally different in morphology. Recognized by IOC World Bird List and ebird/Clements Checklist.
Description
Males have a bluer fore-supercilium and less white plumage compared to the red-flanked bluetail. Otherwise similar in appearance to its former conspecific.
Identification
Similar to red-flanked bluetail but males can be distinguished by the bluer fore-supercilium and reduced white plumage. Species identification is best confirmed through genetic analysis and vocalization differences.
Distribution & Habitat
Restricted to north-central China.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Tarsiger
- eBird Code
- refblu2
Distribution
breeds in north-central China (northeastern Qinghai, northern Gansu, Shanxi, and Beijing); wintering range remains to be elucidated
Data Sources
CBR Notes: 将红胁蓝尾鸲的 albocoeruleus亚种提升为独立种祁连山蓝尾鸲Tarsiger albocoeruleus（Wei et al. 2022）
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.